Perennial Hardiness Zone

Herbs & Medicinals

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Herbs: Herbs, the useful plants, have been grown in kitchen gardens since the earliest times, and were among the precious cargo brought with the colonists on their journey to America.Edible Flowers: Ancient herbals and still-room books- the cookbooks of their age, and are filled with recipes using flowers. Salads were gathered from garden and field; violets, nasturtiums, pot marigolds, and clove gillyflowers (dianthus) lent welcome color and often piquant flavor. Flower butters, syrups, conserves and confections were relished as well, and flowers were pickled and stored in crocks, to be eaten in the dark days of winter.

Minty liquorice scented leaves make one of the best fresh-leaf teas available, much used as a delicious tummy soother! The tender young leaves can be chopped and added to salads that call for mint as well. This new variety has a compact, well-branched habit and saturated violet-blue flowers.

Introduced to America by the Colonists, catnip has a long history in herbal apothocaries. Among a myriad of uses catnip tea is relaxing and soothing, especially effective in children. Most cats, on the other hand, are aroused by its signature potent minty scent that mimics cat pheromones, rubbing and rolling on the plant and eating it in apparent abandon. After 30 minutes or so they become temporaryily immune to its effects, a good thing as some cats can demolish the plants. Kittens, however, dislike catnip. Easy to grow, it can be pinched to cultivate a bushy form full of leaves, not flowers, preventing it from reseeding excessively. Attracts the beneficial insect soldier beetles.

One of my favorite herbs, creeping thyme spreads quickly. When combined with other thymes and low creepers, it creates an oriental carpet of color and scent. The dark green, shiny leaves and lavender-pink flowers cascade over stone walls and containers in short order. Use in potpourri and in the kitchen.

Bronze fennel has edible leaves, flowers, seeds, stems and roots. Its dark, feathery foliage and seeds possess a sweet, mild anise flavor that is used in meats, vegetables, breads and more. The seeds are often brewed into a tea that aids digestion, and if that were not enough, it is an invaluable host plant for the larval stages of the black swallowtail butterfly. Especially beautiful paired with hollyhocks by the garden gate. Grow in well-drained soils. Self sows.

Stubby white daisy flowers cluster above the earthy-scented leaves. Beautiful in combination with foxgloves and old roses, its foliage effectively repels insects. It has a long history of medicinal use. Listed in an 1833 book. Self sows. Attracts beneficial insects hoverflies, and tachinid flies.

Once called Golden Feather, this rare heirloom has striking chartreuse scalloped leaves capped with masses of small daisy flowers. The earthy, mossy scented foliage is in the group once called "Nose Twisters". I, for one, love its scent.

English lavenders are best for cold winter areas for they are the hardiest available. This new lavender has abundant large (4") purple-blue fragrant flower wands and striking silvery foliage. Perfect for pots or garden hedges in well-drained soil, for fragrant cut flowers and more; bees and butterflies love the nectar-filled blooms.

A must have new perennial! Southern gardeners will appreciate the quality of this variety, for it has disease resistant foliage and a strong rot-resistant root system. Northern gardeners will thrill over its hardiness. A vigorous variety with tall strongly fragrant lavender purple flowers flowers in late spring and early summer. For best winter survival, perhaps into zone 5, plant in well-drained soil on a small mound, mulch with gravel, and do not cut back until spring growth begins. Patented.

With a habit unlike other rosemary plants, this one gracefully spills from hanging baskets and also functions well as a ground cover, all while helping to deter unwanted insects. Deer-proof and great for low-maintenance and outdoor sitting areas, and easy to overwinter in containers when placed in a south-facing window--fresh herbs year-round!